Ships anchor in the channel between Tapeka Point and Russell. From
there passengers are ferried to either Russell or Waitangi wharves.
Russell now has a secure passenger transfer area on the wharf. Most ships arrive off
Russell between 0700 hours and 0900 but typically 0800 for a day visit.
They usually depart the same day at either 1700 or 1800 hours. Many
passengers take organised tours as far north as Cape Reinga, the northern
tip of New Zealand.

If you are visiting on a cruise ship and
either on a limited budget or not keen spending hours on a tour bus,
spend the day in Russell or book or own trips. Historic Russell is a favourite for many passengers who enjoy the relaxed village
atmosphere with many historic places, cafes and shops. A mini tour of
the Russell area and history operates from next to the wharf.
Attractions include boat trips to explore the Islands including the
famous "hole in the rock", swim with the Dolphins, bus tours, Waitangi
Treaty grounds and more. There are good short walking tracks and a 10
minute passenger ferry trip to Paihia. Ferries run every 10-20 minutes
with shopping. Walk or take a taxi the short distance to the Waitangi
Treaty grounds.

The list of cruise ships due
to visit the Bay of Islands and the port of Russell is
subject to change and provided as a guide only

2012 Vessel

Arrive Date

Pass

Crew

Arrive

Depart

Depart Date

Last port

Next port

Dawn Princess

7.10.12

2272

900

7:00

16:00

Same day

Auckland

TBC

Dawn Princess

3.11.12

2272

900

7:00

16:00

Same day

Auckland

TBC

Oosterdam

4.11.12

2250

800

7:00

16:00

Same day

Auckland

TBC

Amsterdam

16.11.12

1653

600

11:00

19:00

Same day

Auckland

Pacific Venus

17.11.12

720

180

8:00

17:00

Same day

Port Villa

Dawn Princess

20.11.12

2272

900

7:00

16:00

Same day

Auckland

Orion

27.11.12

106

75

7:00

17:00

Same day

At Sea

Auckland

Radiance of the Seas

27.11.12

3360

859

7:00

17:00

Same day

Auckland

Sydney

Sea Princess

30.11.12

2272

875

7:00

16:00

Same day

Auckland

Sydney

Oosterdam

2.12.12

2250

800

7:00

15:00

Same day

Auckland

Dawn Princess

3.12.12

2272

900

8:00

17:00

Same day

Fiordland

Auckland

Pacific Pearl

3.12.12

1856

514

7:00

16:00

Same day

Auckland

Auckland

Sea Princess

6.12.12

2272

875

8:00

17:00

Same day

Celebrity Solstice

20.12.12

2850

7:00

17:00

Same day

Auckland

Sydney

Sea Princess

26.12.12

2272

875

7:00

16:00

TBC

TBC

Oosterdam

30.12.12

2250

800

7:00

16:00

Same day

Auckland

Silver Shadow

19.1.13

423

287

7:00

17:00

Same day

Auckland

Tauranga

Sea Princess

22.1.13

2272

875

7:00

16:00

Same day

Oosterdam

23.1.13

2250

800

7:00

16:00

Same day

Auckland

Silver Whisper

24.1.13

486

287

13:30

20:00

Same day

Rarotonga

Auckland

Radiance of the Seas

1.2.13

3360

859

7:00

17:00

Same day

Auckland

Sydney

Carnival Spirit

3.2.13

2680

961

Same day

Europa

5.2.13

408

285

8:00

18:00

Same day

Fiji

Auckland

Artenia

7.2.13

1260

537

8:00

22:00

Same day

At Sea

Auckland

Caledonian Sky

15.2.13

114

74

12:00

20:00

Same day

Ahipara

Auckland

Sea Princess

18.2.13

2272

875

7:00

16:00

Same day

Balmoral

19.2.13

1778

471

7:00

17:00

Same day

Auckland

Hobart

Queen Victoria

20.2.13

2014

900

TBC

TBC

Same day

Sea Princess

24.2.13

2272

875

8:00

17:00

Same day

Marina

24.2.13

1252

780

12:00

20:00

Same day

At Sea

Tauranga

Orion

26.2.13

106

75

7:00

17:00

Same day

Great Barrier

Auckland

Radiance of the Seas

3.3.13

3360

859

7:00

17:00

Same day

Auckland

Sydney

Queen Mary 2

10.3.13

2620

1253

8:00

17:00

Same day

Auckland

Dunedin

Bremen

29.3.13

188

8:00

Same day

Auckland

Marina

29.3.13

1252

780

8:00

18:00

Same day

Cruise ships visiting the
Bay of Islands are allocated one of the three
anchorages above based on displacement and the
number of ships in port the same day. Passengers
are usually ferried by the ships lifeboats to
the secure berthing facility at Russell wharf.

Custom New Zealand Search - cruises, attractions, places

QE II departing Russell and passing Tapeka Point

View
from the deck of an arriving cruise ship passing Tapeka Del Mar just prior to
dropping anchor off Russell. Check our
views page for examples of the many vessels that pass by the beach house
each day

Queen Mary 2
anchored off Tapeka beach during her first ever port visit to New
Zealand March 2010.

The map
above shows AIS ship location data.
When the Bay of Islands receiving
station is operating, vessels with
an AIS transponder will show on the
map. These include all cruise ships,
freight vessels travelling up and
down the coast and smaller vessels
such as the Bay Belle passenger
ferry, pilots, tugs etc. By mousing
over the map it is possible to zoom
in, zoom out and drag the map to
other locations such as the port of
Whangarei and Auckland. By clicking
on a vessel icon vessel
specifications and images can be
displayed. This map will also
display the location vessels
carrying a Smartphone or Tablet
running the mAIS free App provided
they are in cellular coverage. This
data is not retransmitted to vessels
carrying dedicated AIS equipment but
is available to anyone viewing map
data in a web browser.